Leading role - Tachiyaku

Japanese: 立役 - たちやく

〘Noun〙① In Noh, Kyogen and Kabuki, a role that stands on the stage and performs in opposition to the jiutaikata (chants) and hayashikata (musicians) who sit on the stage. Tachikata . ※Warambegusa (1660), vol. 1 "There is a custom for opening the curtain. The leading actors should be folded up." ② A general term for male roles other than female and child actors after the ban on female Kabuki. ※Haiku・Saikaku Daikusu (1677), vol. 10 "The evening moon with deep respect for the golden tsuba, Mina no Yaegiri playing a leading role." ※Jinrin Kunming Zui (1690), vol. 7 " Tachiyaku " ③ In Kabuki, a male role of a good person. Also used as a general term for characters on the side of good in opposition to villains (katakiyaku) . ※Hyaku-ki, Actor Hyaku-yaku Sen-ji (1674), Akita Hikosaburo: "Instead of wearing a round-mouthed kimono, he put on a wide-sleeved kimono and performed half the role of a leading actor." ※Ukiyo- zoshi , Gozen Gikeiki (1700), 8: "He changed his clothes to play the leading role, villain role , clown, float, and hostage role , and began performing kabuki." 4. In kabuki, a good-natured male role of a middle-aged man, such as a puppeteer. Also, since most roles are played by the senior members of a troupe, the term refers to senior actors. Tate-yakusha. [Kokin Yakusha Daizen (1750)]

Tate-yaku [leading actor]

〘Noun〙① = Tateyakusha (leading actor) ※ Ukiyo-zoshi, Kanho Yakusha Kataki (1711 or so), lower part "In the dressing room, Sawamura was in a state of ecstasy, and the leading actor was wetting his sleeves even to the horse's feet."② An actor who becomes a kabuki actor. [Rigen Shuran (around 1797)]③ ⇒ Tachiyaku (leading actor)

Source: The Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary About the Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary Information

Japanese:

〘名〙① 能、狂言や歌舞伎で、舞台にすわっている地謡方(じうたいかた)、囃子方(はやしかた)に対し、立って演技する役。立方(たちかた)。※わらんべ草（1660）一「幕をあぐるに作法あり。立役の分はもろまく上べし」② 女歌舞伎禁止以後、女形(おんながた)・子役以外の男役の総称。※俳諧・西鶴大句数（1677）一〇「金鍔に心底とをす暮の月岑の八重霧立役をして」※人倫訓蒙図彙（1690）七「立役(タチヤク)」③ 歌舞伎で、男の善人の役。また、敵役(かたきやく)に対して善の側の人物の総称として用いる。※評判記・役者評判蚰蜒（1674）秋田彦三郎「とかくまるぐちのどうけよりも広袖のみせを引て半どうになり、立役半ぶんの芸をさせたき事や」※浮世草子・御前義経記（1700）八「立役(タチヤク)、敵役(かたきやく)、道化(だうけ)、花車、おやがたと衣までをかへてかぶきをはじめ」④ 歌舞伎で、実事師など、壮・中年の善人の男役。また、多く一座の幹部が演じるところから、幹部俳優をさしていう。たて役者。〔古今役者大全（1750）〕